Our day starts at five thirty in the morning or four thirty when it is summer in Spain.
That was because the monastery was founded by Carmelite nuns from Madrid, Spain.
And the Spanish nuns followed the routine from their former monastery down to wearing habits of thick wool.
We dress hurriedly, wash our faces with water from the jar.
Then empty our chamber pots at the grassy patio, pulling some grass to wash it, rinsing it with rain water collected in barrels.
Morning prayer or Lauds started at around six in the morning.
This was followed by Mass, an hour meditation, then more recitation of the Divine Office called Prime.
We had breakfast of bread, or cream crackers with coffee.
During the fasting season, it was two ounces of bread with coffee but without milk added.
After breakfast, it is the work hours. We spend half an hour working in the garden or go about our respective work in different offices until eleven in the morning when we have another recitation of the Divine Office, Terce.
Fifteen minutes examination of conscience and we walk in a file, reciting a psalm as we make our way to the refectory for lunch.
An hour of recreation follows after lunch.
After recreation, we retire to our cells for one hour of siesta.
During the summer season, we made up for lost sleep by sleeping during that hour.
Then it is time for another recitation of the Divine Office called None.
More work at different offices until five thirty when we had more recitation of the Divine Office called Vespers or Evening prayers.
This is followed by another hour of meditation, when we again stream into the refectory for dinner.
Another hour of recreation, and it is time for more recitation of the Divine office called Compline.
After Compline, it is the great silence where we avoid talking completely and when we have to, we use sign language.
After Complines, we are free to read, write or meditate till Matins or Night Prayers at ten. We went to bed at eleven at night. And with that, we end our day.
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